The word gospel means "good news". As Christians we have something really good and exciting to talk about. If we took the illustration of being in a boat and people all around us where drowing in the water. We have good news to bring them, "Look, here is a life-preserver, grab ahold of it and you will be fine!"

Likewise, people are lost in their sin and are approaching the day when they shall be judged by God. We know how they can be saved through Jesus Christ. We call out and say, "grab ahold of Him". This is good news to a drowning person.

rsnail writes on 2000-08-22



Intresting illustration about the boat. Sadly sometimes Christians believe that merely sitting in the boat will save others, we must remember that throwing a life-line takes action.

Chris Priebe writes on 2000-09-02



One of the reasons we sometimes fail to take action is we forget that people are truly drowning.

gdelbegio writes on 2000-09-23



Re: Boat Illustration. Do the folks in the water know they are drowning? I way yes, but there is lots of denial. People are good at insulating themselves from the fact that they are drowning at sea, especially in the ´well-off´ western world. Does it cost a person anything to reach out for a life preserver? Perhaps the only thing it costs them is the admission that they can´t make it on their own, they need the Holy God...and for some people that´s too great a cost.

gailrei writes on 2000-11-22



As Christians I feel that we can take it for granted that having been used to take the Good News to those that are perishing we think the job is done and walk away. We need to remember that a drowning person may well be overjoyed at being pulled out but we need to hang around until we know they´re really OK and their life is no longer in danger. Comparing this to a new Christian, they may be physically, emotionally and spiritually vunernable/weakened/confused and need support and care to ensure they can continue in a new saved life full of spiritual strength, health and understanding of just what they have been saved from and by whom and the reality of His love and plans for their life.

restless_poet writes on 2000-12-19



There was a lot of religion in my home growing up, but not a lot of personal relationship with Christ... kind of like our Western culture that grows up with a type of religion but not much in the way of real relationship. There´s a church on every corner, and just enough religion to be like a flu shot... making you immune to it. Growing up, "gospel" and "good news" were catchphrases to me, not really anything dramatic. As far as I knew, I had Christ because I was in a Christian home and said some words I didn´t fully understand when I was. Good news was for "bad people," "sinners," and "those other people," but it was never big news to me. Why? I didn´t think anything was wrong with me. I´d never really gotten into any trouble, so I thought I was good enough and pleasing to God... I tried to follow basic Biblical principles... I think a very large number of people are like that. I think why all of my early witnessing attempts fell flat was that I thought it was "good news for THEM" ... not good people like me.... so witnessing was a good deed for pitiful people... once I realized *I* needed it, too, and realized all the stuff I´d put God through, and how holy He was and how unholy I was, but how much He loved me, I was totally amazed by His grace... I became PERSONALLY awe-filled... then things started to radiate out of me. Then I could share good news like it really WAS good news....! Then I didn´t have an air of hypocrisy about me, then I didn´t have to learn fancy ways of witnessing; it was more on my face than anything else, and the doors were opened by God Himself. I think the most important thing is... is it good news to US? Until it is, we can´t even dare to share it as good news to others.

Dot Owens writes on 2001-01-31



There is nothing more exciting than see
a new saved person from drowning in this
unsaved world. I think this is like a renewing
of our own new birth or saved from drowning.

It is such a pleasure to be around a new
saved person, and to watch their joy in
learning about our Lord and Saviour. To
be able to see the light come on when they
see or hear something from to Word of God
made clear to them, to see the Holy Spirit
work in their lives. This makes you feel
like you are walking ten feet above the
ground.

garrydenn writes on 2001-02-06



G od O ffering S ining P eople E verlatsing L ife

G O S P E L
John 3:16

Mspastwife writes on 2001-02-14



I think alot of christians do the job of bringing in another lost sheep, but they think that their job ends there. I always have wondered about that, because I know when I was saved at the age of 10 that I needed guidance and plenty of reassurance. I hope this point gets through to alot of christians. It is very hard for a new comer in Christ to make on their own in the world today. They Need the body of Christ to help guide them and lift them up when they´re down.

leopard79 writes on 2001-03-01



This is an interesting illustration and I think that some people are definitely unaware of the fact that they are sinking in an uncrossable sea, trying to find some sense and purpose to what is happening to them and around them.

I became a Christian at the age of 10, (although Iíd said the words a good few years earlier, I didnít understand them). This was after being brought up in a Christian family, receiving my first Bible at my church Thanksgiving Service when I was just a month old, and never knowing what it was like to have never heard the Good News.

When my friend started asking me questions about why I did and didnít do things I very nervously started telling her about how being a Christian had moulded my character. We were about 14 then, she had been through a truly horrible time with her health and her parentís divorce, and it was the first time Iíd really tried to explain to anyone. Passing notes in class and whispering Godís Word when the teacher was writing on the board seemed like an awfully strange way to do it. One day she asked me how she could ask God into her life, because she truly believed in what God had done for her in sending Jesus to die for her sins. This was one of the happiest days of my life. I couldnít believe how proud of her and myself I was when I watched her be baptised a few months later.

Despite this though, I rarely speak out about the Good News to people I meet and I struggle with this as I know that sometimes God is trying to nudge me to throw that life preserver then and there. I just donít seem to have the courage to just open my mouth and let the words come out. It was five years later when I realised that although I wanted to marry a man called Martin, it couldnít happen until he became a Christian too and it took a lot of patience, talks with me and his old boss who was also a Christian, and a lot of nudges from God to help him understand what I believed in and that it was true for him too. God was there for me all the way through it. He really meant what Heíd told me about not getting married until Martin was a Christian and six or seven months later Martin came home from meeting his friend and he said, ´I told Iain that Iíd become a Christian, oh, and that Iím getting married too!´ We were married six months later and are coming up to our Second Anniversary and we have grown so much together and with God, itís really strengthened my faith and renewed it in a way, because I was reminded how powerful the Good News really was.

God Bless
Emma <

Arnet Hales writes on 2001-05-07



The illustration reminds me of a message written by William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, in 1865. The message is called who cares, and is a vision of people in the sea drowning. There are a few who struggle out, then leap back in to help others struggle to get free of the waves. It is a wonderful picuture of the work that we are all called to.

A close reading of the first verse of the gospel of Mark sets the tone for the whole of the gospel. "This" a reference to the message of the whole book, is the Good News of Jesus Christ, Son of God. We must not assume that the writer was referring only to the first 4 verses, but must understand that the reference is much broader and refers to the message that is still being preached, that Jesus is the Christ, and his sacrifice at calvary is indeed sufficient for all of our sin.

thx

Arnet

Idelia Haynes writes on 2001-05-31



I love to be around new babes in Christ,the glow of Jesus that comes from them makes all the painstaking witnessing you did to show them just how much they need Jesus worth while. The way they hang on your every word about Jesus and the Bible it motivates you to study more so you will be ready to answer any question they may have

BC writes on 2001-06-11



Or instead of answering questions encourage them to find the answers themselves in God´s Word. So, they do not depend on anyone but God and His Word. You NEVER want any Christian depending on you only on God. For instance, if they ask a question regarding Eternal Life, have them do a Word study from their concordance to study what God has given them, because of their Salvation in Jesus Christ. I John 5:11-12

MY RESPONSE: Thanks for reminding us that it is God who saves people and His Word is powerful to bring them to Christ. Let me balance this thought with another - we are one of the many tools God uses to bring people to Himself and so it is okay to answer questions. - Pastor Chris

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-06-26

drowning?

I love the illustration but, as I read and reread the article I just kept remembering that when I was in that sea of sin I never knew that I was drowning. and from my life´s experiences it is hard, very hard to save someone from something that they do not see. I see the good news of the gospel as a hope of change and that our "job" so to speak, is that of convincing a satisfied world that there is something better. I remember quite well, that although I was drowning....I was okay with it.....maybe the "good news" is that some of us can see the shark in the water!

estamosuno writes on 2001-06-26



Yes, I agree on the topic and I believe that it is good news if we can introduce a person into believing that he can save his life and soul, if he just believes in the one who gave his life for us at Calvary.

My own life has been a personal testimony of the accepting the Good News as a year back i was going through tough times in both my job and finances, and was not much of a church goer. I felt an inner spirit telling me to seach for the living christ which initiated me to attend my first believer´s service in May 2000, and subsequently I had all the blessings that the Lord Almighty promised to his faithful if we just turn and call out his name.

erivera writes on 2001-07-22



I strongly feel that before we reach out to others, one must have a solid relationship with God. We must live according to God´s will, so that we are examples of God´s love. Once we have established this connection, spreading the Good News, can be done even without expressing one word, our actions, way of life, and love for God can, will speak for themselves. Reaching out to those that are drowning in sin, comes easier when we are living according to God´s will.

My Response: This would be the most effective way, what is really interesting is that God even uses rebellious people like Jonah to convert an entire boat of people (Jonah 1:16 )

futbolmamasita writes on 2001-07-22



I believe that the Gospel..."good news" is like soccer...only different. In soccer, if you make a goal...you are happy, winning, fun, exciting..etc..etc..etc. The Gospel is all these things and more. It tells us of Jesus´ life and what might/will happen when he comes back. But if you don´t make a goal and you are losing, people get mad at you. In the Gospel, it tells us that if we mess up, people may be mad, but God will always forgive you. You are wining in his eyes.

NickMcDowell writes on 2001-07-22



I think the last line of restless poet´s coment made a lot of sense to me. I feel very ashamed of the fact that after I called upon Jesus, I didn´t even try to live a good life and I took salvation, the work of Christ for grante, I kept one foot and a few toes in the world. Well, I want to know Jesus, I don´t want religion, I want Christ, I want to have the relationship. I am sure once I start getting to know Jesus, witnessing will be 1,000 times more powerful.

Jan writes on 0000-00-00

"How lovely are the feet of him who brings good news." We are to run to tell the gospel. It brings joy to us, joy to God, and joy to those who receive it. Jan

Melanie writes on 0000-00-00

This reminds me of the old line: "It takes 2 to tango," we are all in the boat as Christians and we watch forward questing for our Lord secure in the knowledge that God loves us. We are His. Complacent in this we forget to turn around and see the others drowning behind us. Do we know they are drowning? Do we care. Jesus says to love one another, in fact it is his second commandement after loving Him. SO the clear answer is yes we should. We should reach out to them, throw life perservers, scream their names, LOVE THEM.

The second thought that struck me is for the Christians that have fallen off the boat...the ones that GOd has already but whom have forgotten that. What about them? Do we scorn or laugh, as I have see happen, or do we redouble our efforts? They who have known God and fallen off have more to lose then never knowing. They have touched His greatness and satan is very busy in their lives. Again His command Love One Another. A way to live our lives, a way of life.

Melanie

hugapoohlouise writes on 0000-00-00

I agree with this statement. I was recently saved and I am so excited about it. I want to tell everyone the "Good News" I have a lot of people who rebuke me, but I don¥t get discouraged because if you have the Lord of Lords and King of Kings on your side how can you lose.
I am currently involved in two nursing home ministries. I love to share with them the Good News and they love to hear it. I don¥t think many people give much thought to the elderly and their need to be saved.

numberco2000 writes on 2002-04-27

Another reason we fail to take action is that a lot of people don¥t even want to hear the Gospel, and we are afraid to tell them (we don¥t totally understand it either) because we¥re afraid of rejection.

D-lite writes on 2002-05-08

Black is black Ö White is white. My mom once lived in a dark apartment that had 70ís style wallpaper (black flocked velveteen). When looking at it from an angle the wall appeared to be completely black. Then she moved into a new place and all the walls were pure white. The place had big windows and the sun shone in. But she found in difficult getting used to. The walls showed every little speck of dirt. She would wash, wash, wash. She complained about how difficult the place was to keep clean. I reminded her that the other place had been much dirtier, only she never saw the dirt because of the black walls.

Thatís the way it is with sin. When weíre living in spiritual darkness a big black blotch on our heart is hardly noticeable, because the rest of our heart is stained as well. But when weíre transported into the kingdom of light every teensy weensy little spot shows. The Holy Spirit is our window washer and He comes to show us all our little spots before they get any bigger, so that He can clean them up for us. God has called us to be His ìinterior redecoratorsî. We get to tell others there walls are black and if they want to, they donít have to have those walls any more. They can change their walls and make them white again.

ìCleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.î
(Ps 51:7-13).

stargazer writes on 2002-05-31

I remember that our pastor said, first they have to realize that they are drowning.

userlw80 writes on 2002-06-29

Romans 10 : 9 and 10

confess and believe

I am thankful that no matter what I have done God has left a way of escape for me.

lutuyen writes on 2002-09-21

Gospel means a special food by JESUS which has been eaten with our heart only. Whoever eats this food shall be reborn and have eternal life.

standinginfaith writes on 2003-09-05

Dlite, I loved the illustration of the flocked walls. It is so true. Thank you.

I quit going to church for about 17 years - over half my life by the time I came back to God. We hear over and over again how people can´t stand the hypocrites there, well I was one of those people. In the meantime my Dad got ordained, my best friend of 20 years is a PK, I was surrounded by Christians yet living apart.

I´ve lived with 3 different men and had a daughter with the last one. We left him in 2000 and so I´m a single mom.

2 years ago, I took out a pen pal ad. One of the people who answered it, name of Jack, engaged me in all kinds of conversation about my past and experiences when I was younger. I wrote to him something like "my father is a pastor but I have discarded his beliefs and am finding my own". He asked me what those beliefs were, exclaiming, " A PK who´s rejected God! A whole family of them no less!" I saw that there, PK, and my heart sank. The guy had to be a christian. How could I take it?

Over time, Jack shared with me some of the most amazing, heartbreaking, sunshine on your face lightning in your eyes - type stories of Jesus. He told me about mercy. I´d never heard of it.

We talked about it at length (and still talk about it at length) and I came to accept Christ after a few months.

When I told my Dad and my best friend about it - and I mean I was BUBBLING OVER with all the things Jack had said, and the new, loving beautiful amazing God I was seeing - they both said they were going to reserve their opinion until they found out if I´d joined a cult.

You know, that´s when I really blew a gasket. All those years, they´d been on the sidelines and yes they loved me, but God´s grace was something THEY could have and not ME. They didn´t talk to me about it or offer me a lifejacket. They didn´t offer me hope. I just had to suffer through the stupid life I´d made for my stupid self, and they were a world apart, saved, how nice for them. How could they portray God as someone who saved those who were good enough, when that so clearly wasn´t true?

I still weep to think of how much God loves me, that he would use a pen pal ad on the Internet to blindside me with Himself and bring me back to Him.

I sometimes weep telling others that too, that God loves them, as I witness their struggles and despair and nonstop search for something to fill that emptiness inside. As wretched as they are, as lonely and abandoned and cold and sinking, God loves them so much.

That is good news. The best.

seekker writes on 2003-02-16

One of the most difficult lessons I learned very early in my christian walk is that there is yet another class of drowning people ... those who are drowning by their own choosing ... they know the good news of the gospel, and even understand it, but for whatever reason, they do not want to partake of it ... it was so inconceivable to me to discover that there are people who really, truly don¥t want any part of God or the salvation He has provided for us through His Son, Jesus Christ ... I¥m not saying that we still shouldn¥t witness to these people ... because we should continue to do so all the more ... I¥m just sharing my early experience that there are some people who know full well that they are drowning, yet would rather drown than to grab on to the life-preserver that is thrown within their power to grasp on to and be pulled into the boat ... I still pray that God would intervene in these individuals¥ lives ... that if there is any way possible for these persons to change their minds, that it would be so ... who knows ... it may possibly be that the Spirit of the Living God Who lives in and through us might eventually penetrate their hardened hearts and soften it enough to make them begin to hunger and thirst after a relationship with their Creator after all ...

Pastor Rich writes on 2003-02-21

God wakes me at all hours of the night, and I know that I need to pray for someone or something. He speaks to me in a small quiet voice. Sometimes He tells me what to pray about, and sometimes not, but I have learned to listen to Him...and do what He tells me...without hesitation.

I am up quite early in the morning and spend anywhere from 30 minutes to hours, just praying, singing scripture, and just listening to Him.

Earlier in my christian walk I found it difficult to hear Him, and to obey Him without hesitation. Now I can¥t do without Him, and I seek Him continuously, and I am VERY blessed having His Grace and His love poured out upon me.

Pastor Rich writes on 2003-02-21

You Don¥t have the time? God always makes time for everything you do for Him: spending time with Him, prayer, reading the scripture, giving Him praise, just to name a few.

I have had some very "hectic" days, and He has always made time "my things" when I have made time for Him. Even though "my things" generally concern Him, I really don¥t count that time as "my quiet time" WITH Him.

Thought: Make time for Him, and He will allow more time for "your things."

Pastor Rich writes on 2003-03-03

It was a great day in our history when a man first walked on the moon. But the Bible declares that a far greater event took place two thousand years ago: God walked on the earth. God the Son, Jesus Christ, cane to live among us as a real Human being.

No one but God could say the things Jesus said, and no one but God could do the things Jesus did. In Chapter eight we find out that Jesus never spoke in public without creating controversy. In fact, He was constantly in trouble! Rather than hiding behind the safety of a pulpit, Jesus spoke in settings where people were bold enough to talk back.

We need to keep connecting with people, just like Jesus did. Just think, for a minute, about the people you least want to be around - drug dealers, drunks, gang members. We don¥t talk to some people about Jesus out of fear or because WE think (our flesh) they won¥t listen. People in Jesus¥ day had the same fears and predeterminations. Jesus, however, broke through any barrier if it meant bringing a person to faith.

Are we willing to make that step, and follow the Gospel? Are we willing to make that "step in the Faith"? Jesus gave himself to people with love and compassion, and we should care for others God puts in our paths, with the same love and compassion.

Wirehead writes on 2003-03-11

For many years I was drifting about in the sea of many temptations. Although I was involved in a "religion", they never threw me a life-preserver. I, to this day do not believe they even realize what the Gospel is all about. And if they do, they kept it to themselves. They taught me the basics, but then added their own beliefs and ideas that condemned rather than saved. That is why I am so grateful, eternally grateful, that He had in His plans to remove the scales from my eyes, and touch my heart to yearn for His offer of salvation and eternal life and to become like His Son. It is every Christians responsibility to help those that are being tossed around in the sea of this world and all the lies it offers and the road map it gives to lead them to eternal damnation. But the most important thing to remember, we do not do the saving, we are only commanded to "share" to "be an example" and to "love one another". These are the seeds we plant, the things that cause the lost to ask what the difference is in our lives. Then we can tell them the "Good news" and let the hand of God do the rest. I am grateful to those people that obeyed His command and the seed that they planted in faith, never really knowing what ever became of their labor.

thriving writes on 2003-05-11

In reply to what is the Gospel and the responses on the topic I begin to think what was it that I was afraid of before I submitted to the good news and reach out for a life preserver in Christ Jesus? What had completely frozen me up from the truth that Jesus saves and Him alone.

I think it was my pride and thinking that God would make me give up all the things I thought were important.I really think i was believing satan´s lies that God didn´t won´t me to be happy or joyful and wouldn´t let me do anything. I found out I have new life that is so rich and rewarding but if I had believe satan I would have miss the boat for sure.Well as time went on I learned God replaced the things I thought were important with what was truth. While God started working from the inside out I discovered He is the truth,the way and the life.

gargurel writes on 2003-08-09

Nice illustration, but where are the bible verses to show that it just isn´t another hoax.
NGB

standinginfaith writes on 2003-09-05

The drowning illustration is not bad, except it is more like we have taken a pill that renders us buoyant. If I am in the water next to a drowning guy, he will look over and go, why isn´t she sinking!! He won´t be able to see my lifejacket. My buoyancy is inside of me.

That is why we must TELL the "how". We must share the secret, the good news.

How did it get to be a secret anyhow?

thalteman writes on 2003-10-17

Gospel is the opposite of gossip, gospel being not just the truth but example as how to live whereas gossip is of lies and deceit and of moochers who live off others through deception and deceit by a conniving spirit not of our Lord and Savior the Christ, Jesus. Amen

alexrubio62 writes on 2003-10-27

I do my best to spread "The Good News" in my daily walk with God and Christ. I do believe that the "Free Will" factor that God gave us makes us think that the solution to all of our problems, lies in the materialistic things of earth.
I know that the only way to true salvation and eternity, is through Jesus Christ.

cneff writes on 2003-11-02

since Jesus died for the whole world, everyone has a life preserver, it´s a matter of knowing that life preserver is there, understanding why we need this life preserver, and learning how to use it everyday. fact is, many kick this life preserver away because they know how to swim for themselves and it makes them feel uncomfortable, and they don´t look cool in a life preserver.

thalteman writes on 2003-11-22

It it a good point, and if Jesus selected us a fishermen, then we, who were rescued, need to continue in good works in helping others from drowning, and to work with them, to fellowship, and to use scriptures, to continue to allow Gods spirit to work. For Christianity is fragile, and if we allow the new in Christ to travel alone fruitation may never occur, and then the previous demons (bad spirits) who were cast out, will seek to return and reoccupy them, and if successful, will bring with it an additional seven demons/spirits to bring that soul back to a state far worse and sinful than their previous ways.

Matthew 4:18
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
(Whole Chapter: Matthew 4 In context: Matthew 4:17-19 )


Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
(Whole Chapter: Matthew 4 In context: Matthew 4:18-20 )

Mark 1:16
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
(Whole Chapter: Mark 1 In context: Mark 1:15-17 )


Mark 1:17
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
(Whole Chapter: Mark 1 In context: Mark 1:16-18

Matthew 12:45
Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
(Whole Chapter: Matthew 12 In context: Matthew 12:44-46 )

Luke 11:26
Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first."
(Whole Chapter: Luke 11 In context: Luke 11:25-27 )

alexrubio62 writes on 2003-12-24

Good News! I always love to hear Good News! I´ve spent my entire life looking for and seeking out Good News! I am uplifted to know of the Good News that the One and Only True King of Kings is coming back to take His kids back home with Him. I look forward to walking on streets paved of gold, living in a mansion built for me, and seeing the face of the One who made me. Also seeing my mother who joined our Father in Heaven when I was 14 years old. That is AWESOME! Since I am on earth for a short period of time, I realize that this Good News is just too GOOD to keep to myself. So I spread it through my daily life. Those that I work with, see out in public. I tell them what this Good News means to me and what my rebirth in Christ has done for me. Good News! INDEED!!!!

In His Service,
Alex Rubio

s8nfighter writes on 2004-03-07

Yes it means good news, but more than that it is a new way of life through a restored relationship with God. I am old enough to remember when pencils had erasers and I wore out the eraser long before the pencil was used up. The eraser gave me a fresh start with the paper much like Christ gives us a fresh start with the book of life. Saul was blinded to his past so he could live for the future. I guess he could have left it at that (erased the past) but he filled the pages of his life according to God´s desire.
Let us not forget that though Jesus died for our sins he lives so we might also live.

Gabbye writes on 2004-03-11

Drowning? Yes, that is the way that I felt right up before I accepted Christ as my personal savoir and really understood it. I feel that many sinners don´t realize that they are drowning, or they feel more comfortable in the water because it is what they know. I know that for a long time that is what I felt, that I was too comfortable in drowning because Christianity wasn´t the boat I wanted to be apart of. I am still very much new to the Christian walk, having just recently swam to the boat. At this point in my walk, I am not sure how to go about telling the good news to another person drowning, but I would ask God to lead me if I felt lead to do so. Personally, I think that it is enough sometimes for us to live a God-centered life and then others see Jesus in us without ever having to say a word. God bless you all, and I wish you well in your walk with God.

SJBCPastor writes on 2004-03-15

I like the illustration of the boat. It gives a simple clear picture of the necessity of the gospel as well as the responsibilities of the one in the boat as well as the one who is drowning.

PastorK

cneff writes on 2004-04-27

There are those who know that there is that life raft out there just for the grabbing, but for the sake of saving face or afraid of being ridiculed by their friends they just as soon drown. As heart breaking as it is it is their choice. So the best we can do is to keep on throwing out that life raft and crying out "PLEASE, GRAB HOLD."

PntecostlBelievr writes on 2004-06-05

Awhile back I read the text of a sermon on the website of the church i attend sometimes, and it is basically along the lines of the boat illustration. Here is an excerpt from that article, which begins with an illustration using the Titanic:

(ILL) Interview with Herbert Pittman (third officer of the Titanic)
-1,500 souls were lost
-the Titanic only had 20 lifeboats (1/3 of the number that was needed)
-They thought that the Titanic was a ship that would never sink
-Interview (of Herbert Pittman) by Michigan Senator William Smith:

WS: We must know whether you drifted in the vicinity of that scene for an hour.
HP: Oh, yes, we were in the vicinity of that scene for an hour
WS: Did the anguish of these cries die away?
HP: Yes, they died away gradually
WS: Did they continue during most of the hour?
HP: O yes, I think so, It may have been a shoreter time. Of course, I didn´t check my watch every five minutes.
WS: I understand that, and I am not trying to ask about a question of five minutes. Is that all you care to say?
HP: I´d rather you´d have left this (testimony) out altogether
WS: I know you would, but I mush know what efforts you made to save the lives of passengers and crew under your charge. If that is all the effort you made, say so.
HP: That is all , sir. That is all the effort I made

They were drifting in the vicinity of the dying for an hour while people were perishing, and they did nothing about it.

This was a tragedy, but there are many Christians who are like this third officer. They are in the vicinity of the dying, but they have lost their compassion for His harvest.


(For the full article, go to: http://www.interbethelag.org/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?s=8b28088bdec4215cb89b64afa976e57f;act=ST;f=1;t=9

Sofia writes on 2004-06-22

The Gospel or Good News is about the birth, death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus. Because of this, man was given a way out from eternal damnation and causes man to rejoice in the loving grace of God.

chinese4christ writes on 2004-09-19

This is a good for us to understand what is good news to some it might be wow I just won the jack pot to others it could mean that they got hired for that job they been dreaming for. but my question to all of us christians is this? what does the good news mean to us personly? before we could get others to understand the good news of the gospel we first have to show to them why this is good news and why we need a savior and why it could only be Jesus that can be that good news.until we ourselves understand this and ask for the Holy Spirt to help us can we be able to share this GOOD news to DROWNING WORLD

DGH writes on 2004-09-30

The Gospel is good news as the song says we´re to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. For the love of Christ constrains us and we´re to be about our Father´s business.

monhol writes on 2004-10-09

The gospel to me means:
When I trust in Jesus as my savior all my sins are forgiven.
He payed the price that was set to save all of us, when he died. Calling his name is the most poverful thing any person can do. His name even has the pover to make us walk on the water (if nessesery).
Today the gospel is a reality in my life. I still am in need of the boat but I hope my faith will grow so deep that Jesus can call out "You have me, do not hesitate walking on the water, in my name".

My prayer today is:
Jesus let the gospel go around the world with the wind.
Let all people hear the wind silently move the flowers and the plants.
Let all humans grow in faith of your name, Jesus.

Amen

If the spelling is bad, remember, I am from Sweden. Just doing my best. God bless you!

adnama09@sweetiemail.com writes on 2004-11-24

Sometimes a good practice, when we realize how important it is to get out and do as much as God wills in our life to save souls before our time on earth is up, is first think of the one person in your life who isn´t saved but who you love the most (maybe a family member or close friend) and then think of that person in hell...seperation from God. That realization is shocking when you finally think about it, and it definitely motived me to throw out that lifesaver before it´s too late.

Elisa writes on 2005-01-20

What an interesting scenario of the boat and water. Jesus and his disciples spent a lot of time by water. In Matt.4:18, Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, come follow me and I will make you fishers of men. He is saying the same thing to us today. I can´t swim but I know that if you are drowning and you stay in the water too long, then you will die. People who remain in sin and do not hear the good news or accept it are dying. We as beleivers in Jesus have new life in us, so we have the life preserver that people need to live a full and abundant life. We are called to share it, it is up to the person to accept it or reject it. I am a prayer warrier,(so I pray and intercede for lost souls daily) and I meet a lot of people in everyday life that are hungry for something real. They are tired of how their life is going and they are in a prison of sin and need to be set free. I can´t tell you the light I see in people´s eyes when I tell them that Jesus loves them and died for them. I see instant transformation in their demeanor. It blows them away! I can relate because when I realized that Jesus loved me enough to die for me, I was speechless and transformed . Jesus still saves lives, we are blessed to be a vessel that he uses to reach others.What an honor and priviledge to serve the Lord God Almighty!

Forgiven writes on 2005-03-24

The Good News or Gospel as it is called is simple. Jesus was not a man of many words, (being The Word). He knew the difference between religion that complicates salvation and His Father who simplified it. Simply stated the Good News presented by Christ and commissioned to the eleven is the Hope(Christ Himself-)of restored fellowship with God; Forgiveness- sins are removed by faith in Christ; the promise of eternity with God for the faithful; deliverance from hell and eternal punishment. The gospel truly is Good News for those who a weighted with sin.

Karina Escobar writes on 2005-09-20

I think that the illustration that was used it is appropriated to our lives and the lives of those who need to be save, I think as Christian it is our duty to share our love and compassion to those who are in the sea, who are in the egde of drowning; as a Christian we have the life-preser-
-ver to throw it to them and try to save them.
I also think that The Gospel It is not only good news but the Inspire word of God and the food to our soul our daily bread.

stevec8 writes on 2005-12-11

I don´t think its like people drowning; if they were drowning they would grab at anything, even Christianity despite themselves. They are drifting in the water. They think they are safe, they are apparently enjoying themselves but the rapids and whirlpools that, like sin, lead to certain death, are just out of ear shot. If you really challenged them they would say their lives were without purpose and without any focus. If they accepted that they would then realise the danger they were in and the boat which is the good news would then look like a rescuing craft rather than a pleasure boat in a place where pleasure and immediate gratification of every desire reigns supreme.

born to herd writes on 2005-12-19

its an excellent illustration
theres no better way to describe it...they are drowning and they feel helpless they feel like theres no way they are gonna be saved thats were we come in we must tell them

chrisking writes on 2005-12-28

I agree with rsnail, most people when approached about the good news of Jesus Christ dosen´t feel that it really is good news because they don´t realize that they are indeed in trouble.

Azongaf writes on 2007-05-10

As I read that the gospel is good news, the following thought came to my mind:
Can anyone be ashamed to deliver good news? NO!
Why would I choose to be the one to inform a job applicant that s/he has been selected for a job or inform a young father that his wife has just given birth to a baby and not choose to deliver news that is even better than the above.
If the Gospel is really good news to me I would be proud and happy to deliver it to anyone.
May God help me.

First Day Christian Cent writes on 2008-03-17

The simply amazing thing about what Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 to the Christians in Rome was that he was not ashamed of the Gospel. Think about it. How could we be shamed when Christ died simply to give us the Gospel. Today the postmen get credit just for coming through rain, snow, sleet and hale!

See from a purely academic point of view, experts have said our Lord could have died from any of five reasons. It could have been from hyperbolic shock. It could have been from exhaustive exphixia. It could have been from stress induced arrhythmia. It could have been from congestive heart failure. Although I never sat in a medical class room let me assure you they are all wrong. Why? Because Christ did not come through 42 generations to die from something that you or I could die from. He did not come to this earth to die of something your uncle Frank or your cousin June might have died of.

Christ died from a cause you can not find in the New England Journal of Medicine. A disease no one in your family has ever died of. A disease that´s not taught in any medical schools in the world. He died from Sinosis. This is a condition whereby one without sin lays down his life for the sins committed by others. In otherwords, an innocent lamb dies for a convicted man´s transgressions, and the convicted man lives with the righteousness deservant of the lamb while the lamb assume the death sentence deservent of the convicted man. And Jesus endured this, simply to deliver a letter marked Good News or the Gospel, addressed to mankind. Now the question is simple. Will mankind accept this letter?

Rdavis writes on 2008-04-09

I find that in my own life, it is hard to share the Gospel with others when my own life is a mess. It seems hypocritical. How can anyone want to hear about the God I serve when all they can see is chaos in my own life? I was wondering if anyone has been in this situation and how they dealt with it. Also what approach do you use when sharing the Gospel with a co-worker?

revkev writes on 2008-05-09

I agree with being available to help others in to the fold of our savior. I agree with the boat scenario. We as Christians must also remember that Jesus told Peter to come out of the Boat and walk on the water with him and as Peter started he lost his faith and Jesus help him. My point is to serve the Lord, we have to get out of the comfort of the boat and help other Christian learn how to walk with our Savior Jesus Christ. It is ok to get a little way also in serving the Lord, we will stumble but regain our faith as Peter did as long as we persevere in the way of the Lord.

abercrombie writes on 2008-07-31

My understanding is that the Gospel,(Good News for Eternal Salvation is described in 1Corinthians 15.1-4; Galatians 1 .11; 2Timothy 2.8; Acts 15 .7; 20:24; Eph. 1:13; Col.1:5; 1 Thess. 1:5; ...and requires faith alone in the Saviour, not faith in the Saviour PLUS any effort on my part?

What is a Saviour? Suppose you are drowning. There you are out in the middle of the ocean. Suppose someone were to throw you a book, Three Easy Lessons on How to Swim. Would he be a Saviour? No! Perhaps he could be called an "educator."

Now suppose a man got out of his boat, jumped in along side you, and demonstrated various swimming strokes showing you just how you ought to do it. Would he be a Saviour? Of course not. He would merely be an "example."

All right, what if he took you into his boat, dried you off, fed you, took you ten miles from shore - and then threw you out again into the ocean? Would he be a Saviour? By all means, no! He would be as a "deceiver," a "probation officer,´´ one who starts a heroic act and then quits right in the middle. He certainly would not be a Saviour!

A Saviour is one who takes you safely all the way to shore!

When God says He gives you eternal life and that He will never cast you out or lose you, (John 10:28 ) He means it because He is the true Saviour!
If we do not trust Christ to take us all the way to Heaven, then we have not trusted Him as our Saviour at all.
Christ´s own promise in John 6:37 , "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." He says those who come to Him will not be cast out for any reason.

To bring home this truth, use an illustration from family life. What kind of a parent would you be if, when your child was disobedient, you kicked him out and said, "Go to hell, I´m through with you!"

Rather, the proper parent says, "Come on in!" and the parent has ways and means to deal with the disobedient child.

God never casts out His children! God has other ways and means to deal with the Some would say, "All right, God won´t cast me out, but I could get out of my own will and choice."

The Lord anticipated such doubts and answers them clearly in John 6:39 , "And this is the Father´s will which hath sent Me, that of all which he hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

It is God´s will that no saved person would ever become lost. He says He will "lose nothing,´´ and you are at least something! You could never be saved and lost again. God saves you forever. This is HIS will!

michaelget writes on 2009-01-24

Plus, I have found that actually sharing the good news of the gospel takes the focus off myself and places it on others, thus helping me to avoid temptation.

It is what Jesus preached by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

The Bible begins with the words, "In the beginning" and it goes on to tell how God created everything there is, sat back and said, "It is good!"  How much joy it must have brought Him to see all the beauty He had made.  Imagine the beauty of the forest, the mountains and all the animals that ran on the Earth.  And best of all, God created our parents, Adam and Eve and smiled with joy.  He placed them in a wonderful garden and walked with them.  It was this intimacy of relationship that He created them for.

estamosuno writes on 2001-06-26



God never forces us to follow him or be conformed to his teaching. If we accept and practise the teachings, we will come closer to our creator and experience the love God has for us. If we turn our backs from him, that again is our own choice, but God will still be there waiting for us to return into his presence. Such is the Love of our Father.

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-06-27



Adam said....
"Father,really Eve erred."

Eve said.....
"Without intention lucifer lied!"

God Said.....
"Justification = Eternal Salvation Under my Son"

tammyingham writes on 0000-00-00

God is the only hope for this hurting world that we life in today. I ask god to guide me every day to reach out to the hurting and spiritualy dead people to bring them into the light.

Melanie writes on 0000-00-00

What¥s amazing to me about this is that we err and err and err again..yet HE LOVES US, no matter what.

Melanie

hugapoohlouise writes on 0000-00-00

I agree with this article that God gave us a choice and we choose everyday. I think we need to take responsibility for those choices. If we err then we have to admit that we did err and it is our fault not our neighbors, friend, or spouse and then we must sincerely repent.

Christina writes on 2002-05-08

It¥s great to know that even though we hide when we do something wrong that we can always come back. He¥s always waiting for us to return, even if we feel that we don¥t want to. Also, it¥s wonderful to know that we don¥t have to die if we accept Christ into our lives. Praise be to God.

userlw80 writes on 2002-06-30

Even humanity fell from God he still gave us the gift of salvation and his son Jesus Christ

digitlchic writes on 2003-05-13

Why is it that we don´t do what is best for us? The lack of logic never ceases to amaze me. I´ll be feeling bad or overwhelmed or whatever - I KNOW that God can help me, can lift me up and yet I don´t call on Him.

In my Bible study this morning, I read Romans 7:15 , "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." That is so true for me too! How comforting to know that it´s not just me!

But I keep trying to do better, and (thankfully) our Father is very patient with me - with all of us. Just like a parent watching their child learn to stand by itself - how many times do each of us end right back on our bottoms? But we keep trying, and our Father looks on - gently encouraging us in our efforts.

DGH writes on 2004-10-06

You know it´s a wonderful and amazing thing just thinking about how much that God loves us. He never gives up on his children no matter what. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is a marvelous picture of that. To think that our Heavenly Father is waiting with open arms to welcome us back home after we´ve strayed what a glorious thought that is.

tommy writes on 2006-11-17

Thank God for love and mercy of God for mankind by sending JESUS to suffered and died on the cross, so that whosever repent and believe in HIM will automatically sanctified by his BLOOD.so let us accept Jesus with the fulness of heart.

First Day Church writes on 2008-03-18

We need the gospel becasue we were born in a world of sin, and we were formed (Genesis 2:7 ) from the dust of said world thus created out of sin. While we are spirit beings we are also housed in bodies that is doomed to be returned to the dust of the earth (Genesis 3:19 ) from which we came. And just as Paul said, when I would do good its evil that gets in the way. With all of this being said, we need the good news just to make it through the day and to make it toward our heavenly home.

We suffer hell on Earth because of that by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

I cannot imagine the pain of God in how for years He has watched His most loved creation walk away from Him and suffer the pain of that choice.  For years He moved His hand over history and set into action the most amazing plan that has ever been concieved - He would bring them back!

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-06-27



The first thing I think that most people ponder in their christian lives is the plan of God....and then I think it is a natural assumption to ask, "Did man mess up God´s plan"? without the least bit of hesitation I can answer NOOOOOOOOOO !!! you see even though man fell and the ideal situation would have been for man to stay in that spiritual relationship with God....it did not mess up God´s plan for a created being that He gave free will to. A creature that would choose to love Him and His ways, was the plan....and even though some are lost to God He ultimately will have an eternity filled with those who love Him, honor Him, choose Him, praise Him, thank Him and adore Him. His plan is still intact and it includes all who freely choose God.

hugapoohlouise writes on 0000-00-00

I agree with this that God has had a plan and purpose for us all along. No matter what transpires there is still a plan and it will be done, because God is the Almighty. I think therefore, we should submit ourselves to the plan rather than fighting it every step of the way.

D-lite writes on 2002-04-15

God¥s plan includes pain? Although the topic itself does not deal with the question of pain, you bring it up in a most intriguing context. Does God really experience pain? I know that we can grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30 ) and that would certainly be an emotional pain. He sure uses pain a lot in accomplishing His purposes in our lives. He used it in securing our redemption, allowing Jesus to take the stripes that would heal us. Jesus truly embraced pain, suffering and even separation from God when He died on the cross. I wonder if all pain and suffering is really part of the curse?

I¥m of the opinion suffering and specifically pain has various functions, which are not necessarily always bad. Could pain and suffering in itself be neutral (neither bad nor good). I have seen pain destroy and I have seen pain heal. Perhaps it¥s how we respond to it that gives it the power either negatively to destroy or positively to heal.

Pain can produce and provide joy, protection and even healing. For instance, the pain of childbirth (part of the curse - remember?). During the process, ... yes, unpleasant and even "bad" in degrees. However, this is a pain that brings an amazing joy, especially in the context of a Godly marriage relationship. My response to that pain was that it was worth it all, so much so that I was willing to endure it over and over again, by my own choice. My daughter at the tender age of 3 discovered that pain could protect her. She was told not to touch something very hot. She looked at me and deliberately put out her little fingers and touched! Were it not for pain she would not have recognized the danger that I was trying to warn her about. She had a few little blisters but recovered quite nicely, but never touched again (because pain protected her from future, more serious injuries). A person needing life saving medical interventions, willing undergoes the pain of a surgery so that the body can be healed and restored.

Granted not all pain has its immediate rewards. I have experienced other kinds of pain that have not brought immediate joy or healing, but in the process of time have taught me lessons in agape discipleship that "blessings" (as we commonly perceive them) just never would. Most of us try to avoid all pain and suffering, perceiving it to always be bad. So we resist it and do not embrace it. But at the same time, we cannot avoid it. That is the dilemma. My prayer is that regardless of the origin of suffering, I would embrace pain and suffering in the same grace as Christ. His grace is the only source that gives us the power to use suffering as a tool of honor. God¥s grace is sufficient, because His grace is more powerful than any suffering or pain that I can or ever will endure. For if we truly want to follow Him we must be willing to enter into the fellowship of His suffering.

D-Lite

Elisa writes on 2005-01-20

I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 , when God says that I know the plans that I have for you.....God knew us even before we were created, he chose us before the foundations of the world.Because he gives us a choice, he knew that we would fall and turn away from him, but he loved us enough to send his son to redeem us and be the propitiation for our sins. I thank God that he is faithful, even when we are not always faithful!

First Day Church writes on 2008-03-18

God is so wise. And even saying that I cannot totally convey the knowledge and wisdom of God. In fact if I took the entire bucket of words known to human language and dumped them across this computer I still could not find the words to link together to share just how wise our God is. But here is my attempt. First of all God planned to have man in this beautiful world untouched by sin. But man disappointed him and from that very second, from the second Adams teeth cut through the skin of the fruit, Gods plan for man went into effect. From Genesis 3:15 God´s plan to dispatch Jesus to the earth had gone into effect. From Genesis 3:15 Jesus was given his assignment to save man from himself.

People were expecting a physical kingdom by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

Saving faith is not something which happens overnight but is often the process of a long journey.  We begin with very little faith at all and then something happens and we begin to wonder if perhaps there is a God.  Over time we find ourselves asking questions and even exploring the Bible.  We hear about Jesus and we become interested in Him.  We like His teachings and we find that our beliefs begin to slowly change.   We become convinced that He is far more than a good teacher and His teachings become more serious to us.  In essence, we fall in love with Him and we begin to want to follow Him all our days.  At some point we understand that He died and rose again so we can be free from the bondage of our sins and can be forgiven.  We might struggle with that at first but it begins to make sense and we believe it is true.   It becomes more personal where Jesus did not simply die for humanity but He died for me.  Up to this point we have not made a decision to follow Him and take His gift but we have been exploring it.  We now stand at the edge of cliff per say and we are challenged to take a leap of faith.  For some it is like jumping into darkness, hearing only God calling them.  They are afraid but they trust Him enough to leap out and pray He catches them.

Colette writes on 2001-01-31



Faith grows! Praise God it does because in my self I couldn´t ´get there´. My husband and I have been going thru a 6 month trial...no work(alittle here and there) and searching the will of God for our future. We have been on our knees nearly everyday in prayer.It´s so good to put your life in the hands of a MIGHTY GOD! Believe me-it´s been tough and scarey but we dig in deeper into the heart of God-KNOWING that He hasn´t forgotten us and that He will do a beautiful thing thru this all. If we are to learn(which we have!)or if those young people around us, our own sons, others, are to see that God is faithful-Praise Him!
Faith is the evidence of things unseen,the substance of things hoped for. It´s OK-I pray those reading this will begin w/ Jesus and know that He will NEVER let them go...even when He seems silent...we are to trust Him and know that even then, we are in His will, His hands are on us.

SpiritualAdrenaline writes on 2001-06-26



Some say that Jesus is not who He says He is. But if Jesus was not who He says He was then He could not have been a good teacher or a good man. In fact if He is not what He say´s then He was an evil person that has led millions astray.

Second thing is that it is odd what we make time for. Why can´t or don´t I pray everyday? I make time for so many things.

tammyingham writes on 0000-00-00

To believe in Jesus with Blind faith is hard to do in this time of age. A lot of people don¥t understand the Bible or the things of God. To be able to get a better understanding about Jesus and faith for we can help the lost is the best things any one can do.
thanks
tammy

brotherharry2000 writes on 0000-00-00

2 Corinthians 5:17 is the exact scriptural quote that finally got my attention and started to allow me to open my heart to God¥s love.

Edwin writes on 0000-00-00

When i read that Jesus died for me, it really struck a chord. I went to look in the bible for more answers. As i was reading the New Testament another passage in Galatians hit me. Galatians 2:20 . I am so glad that i read this because it taught me that, i am no longer in control. When Jesus died for me, i too died. I was crucified with him so that my would die and he could fill me with the Holy Spirit to spread it around to others.

hugapoohlouise writes on 0000-00-00

I think that we have to make it personal. That God would have wanted us to make it that way. Then we can relate it to our life and it takes on new meaning.

D-lite writes on 2002-04-18

What a great way to explain the process of establishing a long-term relationship (with God). Awesome! This explanation also reminds me that I will not necessarily establish a long-term or life long relationship with every person I meet. Some people I meet I don¥t care to get to know better. However, with some I would make significant sacrifices to get to know them better. If I want to get to know someone, I will take every initiative and opportunity to be with them, go where they might be and get involved in things that are of interest and importance to them. Even if they donít initially have time for me, over the long-term we become friends simply because I have made myself available. There are relationships worth pursuing intentionally and deliberately. Because only when we pursue them will we develop the kind of relationship we are longing and looking for. This requires time, nurture and commitment.

Yes ìIn essence, we fall in love with Him and we begin to want to follow Him all our days.î because we desire this relationship and have pursued it. But God also seeks and pursues us for relationship, even before we are aware or have any knowledge of Him (Eph 1:4-6 ). One author has called this pursuit the ìSacred Romanceî (John Eldredge). It¥s like we¥ve lived all these years being aware of Him or knowing He existed. But all the while we had a secret lover, and little by little he reveals Himself and His love to us. Then one day, someone introduces us and we meet the love of our life. After knowing Him for awhile; He admits that He has known us for a long time (from before the foundation of the world) and tells us that He¥s been looking forward to this meeting from all a long time, (eternity past) and that he intends to keep us for a long time to come (eternity future). Thank you Jesus!

DGH writes on 2004-10-09

I tell you what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is glorious good news. We can trust and rely upon the Lord. We can trust him enough to catch us when we are falling and we can jump up in his arms just like a little child jumping in to his Daddy´s arms.

stevec8 writes on 2005-12-11

My expereience was quite similiar. I was gradually drawn into to the gospel message as I started to read it. First I became certain the Bible was true and was the infallible word of God. The message of Jesus was just too transforming so overwhelmingly loving to be man-made. With that as a certainty, I did not leap into the darkness. when I was reborn in Jesus. I went out of the darkness of sin into His light. I knew that I had made the only rational decision I could when I leap into his loving arms. He is in me and with me always and I thank Him for the momentous day I came to Him and I want to help other people to experience the same joy and the same certainties when they become a new creation in Jesus.

taximan writes on 2006-02-16

This is by no means a challenge to what you have said, but rather a testimony that in my life it has been the opposite way around, and may be for others too.
I grew up never attending church apart from formal ceremonies etc., and though my parents loved me they showed no faith in God nor taught me to either. About the deepest teaching I ever had was the instruction as a child at bedtime saying, "Don´t forget to say your prayers."
The moment I said yes to Jesus was in an insantaneous flash at a point in time I was as far away as I could have been. On occasion I may have considered the meaning of life, but it could have hardly been described as a gradual entry into accepting His salvation.
The moment I "knew" God was real, that was enough to me. I immediately wanted to follow Him, so immediately in fact that even my friends thought I was kidding them!
Since that time there has been a gradual process of learning to lay down my life, pick up my cross, die to my flesh, and then pick up the Glorious life in Christ that His Blood has purchased for me.
Yes I agree that it is like coming in on a bridge or a road, where my destiny becomes clearer each day. But the moment I accepted what He was saying to me was sudden and without any provocation on my part.

God bless,

John.

Leave the old life (which is repentance) by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

I remember when I was younger how everytime someone preached the Gospel I silently said a little prayer and asked Jesus into my heart again.  Why?  Well, I wondered if I had done it wrong or if I had really meant it.  So I kept doing it.

SheriA writes on 2000-12-17



I find this to be very true. In my own walk I had feeling as I didn´t get through or It wasn´t enough to just say it. That God somehow didn´t hear me. I know now it was only my guilt of not giving my all.

restless_poet writes on 2001-01-06



I think I prayed the prayer 20 times before the age of six. I didn´t feel anything. Growing up I realized there were just things I wasn´t letting God have control over in my life, and wherever I was trying to be in control, I lost His peace! Letting go, I found He´d been with me all the time, I just had my back turned. His mercy is great!

martinstl writes on 2001-06-11



Salvation must be accepted by each person in order to be relied upon. Once saved, I believe it is up to us to continue receiving the saving grace, and I believe it is possible to reject salvation

Just the same as if I give my wife a dozen roses to apologize for hurting her, and then turn around and hurt her again, because I am human, I must re-apologize or she will not act the same as she would if I had never transgressed.

For this reason, it is important to continue to examine our conscience and reconcile with our Lord, and continue to receive His grace, which is always offered.

Jesus certainly only had to die once to make us children of God, and heirs of heaven, but without continual acceptance of His Grace, we can fail, and might very well loose for ourselves that which He gave us.

MY RESPONSE: In the Church we have a saying, "I have been saved, I am being saved, I will be saved" The first is in the past since at one point Christ saved me. The second is in the present since although I have been saved my life is still undergoing the transforming work of Christ and need to constantly accept His grace. The third is future since one day I will fully realize the salvation given me when I enter Heaven. Now as to losing ones salvation, this is a much debated question, I am not so sure it is as easily lose as suggested above. The things we know for sure however is we are called to perservere till the end and that if we mess up God´s grace is still there. - Pastor Chris

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-07-04



S....satan
T....trying to
R....ruthlessly
U....undermine
G....God´s
G....grace
L....leaving
E....enslaved
S....saints


I am a firm believer in John 10:28 ...And
I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Yet, I am but human and I have had the same struggles....Satan whispers, you did not do it right...you left something out....you prayed wrong! And I let the whispers get louder....yeah, I prayed by myself not with the preacher....uh huh, I waited for over 20 years to get baptized....well, I did go to that movie. Satan is influencing Christians daily but, why does he bother? Because
they are saved! And in keeping Christians enslaved to their own worries and doubts he keeps us from sharing the Gospel. Jesus tells us that no man can pluck you out of his hand and if you read one verse further He also includes His Father´s hand...I choose to believe that....does that mean I don´t struggle? Obviously not....but, keep in mind that I am huMAN and so therefore I, not even I, can take away from Jesus what the Father has given!

futbolmamasita writes on 2001-07-22



I was ´saved´ when I was about 5 yrs. old. I went to my pastor´s office after church...to shy to go up with my sister...then I said the prayer and was ´saved.´ Well, one day, my church had a little revival. The speaker was a very good one. While he was talking, God told me..."Ruthie, you are not saved, you only went up because your sister went and the church wanted you to." So, I truly got saved my sophmore year. So if you´re not sure, say it one more time and mean it. God will save you because he loves you and not because you did it for show.

Melanie writes on 0000-00-00

After years of abuse and pain and then after years of hiding all of that under shame and anger I have spent the last year walking into God¥s healing. He is at my side and I am never alone. He told me something a few months ago that I did not remember happening but what was to Him a huge milestone in my life.

I have few memories before the age of 9 and a few more after, none of them are good. God has slowly been revealing my memories so that I could work on them. When I was about 11 or 12 I had been invited to a play at some freinds parents church. I do not remember the friends or feeling particular close to these people but there I was at this church. I don¥t remember the play or the music but God showed me what happened afterwards...there was an alter call and I went forward. I got on my knees and asked Jesus into my life. I remeber feeling ¥funny¥ and ¥weird¥ then I had to go home.

In the reality of my daily struggle with life that ¥minute¥ incident was forgotten. At the time I was being molested both in and outside the home and a variety of other things going on kept me far from God or whatever effect He may have had on my life. I could not give any energy to God or what He meant...it was all tied up in living the next hour.

When I remebered this time at the alter..I was thrilled and scared and angry all at the same time. I Was angry I could not remember this before now, and that I could not pursue this then. I was thrilled to see God in my life that far back, calling me. I needed to know that He wanted me and this showed clearly that He did. And I was scared cause I had ignored that call almost from the moment He gave it.

But our God is a wonderful God...He showed me that I was covered, protected from that moment on. I had declared I was HIS. And He did His best to keep me alive. That moment gave me the core in me that never allowed me to commit suicide, that never allowed me to give up, that made me the fighter I am today and that is allowing me to be the Warrier He is calling me to be.

That little ¥incident¥ saved my life...and I did not even realize what it meant when I did it. I did not even remember to 18 years later! Sometimes I doubt being saved...and I wonder if their is enough faith..but then I am reminded of a promise HE made me when I was a scared 11 year old bowing to Her Father. I am in His Family now.

hugapoohlouise writes on 0000-00-00

It is so comforting to me to know that others have experienced what I have. I am so thankful for this course and to share it with other christians.

syrildabelle writes on 0000-00-00

I use to read every tract and do all the things it said ,because in my heart I wanted to serve God. But because nothing ever changed for me, I thought I wasn´t saved or doing it right. But when I actually knew I was saved it was because of Deuteronomy 4:29 it was only when I sought Him with my whole heart did I find Him...

DGH writes on 2004-10-09

I am enjoying these studies so much and the responses too. Like one of the people said I´m a firm believer in John 10:28 too I believe that we are eternally secure in our Lord but I understand also that a lot of people struggle with doubts about their salvation. God´s grace is so wonderful bless the name of our wonderful Lord. I thank him for all that he´s done and is doing.

Elisa writes on 2005-01-20

Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He is busy deceiving and lying to the children of God.Ephesians 2:8, brings me comfort on salvation, it says that we are saved through faith, NOT OURSELVES, it is a GIFT of GOd lest anyone should boast. What do you say when someone gives you a gift? Do you question it or say no I don´t want it? highly unlikely! So we need to accept our salvation as a gift from God, as sinful human beings, we don´t deserve it, but his Grace and Mercy covers us.Romans 10:9, says that if you confess with your mouth and believe it your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead then you will be saved. Sometimes we make our relationship with God so complicated. The bible is full of promises ,but it is 2-fold, there is always something that God will do for us, but there is something that we have to do as well. Some examples of this are : MAlachi 3:10 , 1John 1:9,Psalm 37:4-5. God will do what he says he will do,but we have to do our part. Sometimes we block our own blessings from God by disobedience and expecting God to be a jeanie in a bottle and zap all our problems away while we do nothing. God does not work this way!

carman2005 writes on 2005-02-15

I know that feeling and in my case it was true. I had followed a false teaching before I found a Bible believing and preaching church. I realized I had not been saved. I ran for 2 weeks and then I gave my all to Christ.

Kina writes on 2005-09-07

I have struggled also with this question, but somebody told me, that this is one of satan´s traps...and I am saved! And when I understand this, I was releaced.

moj8668 writes on 2006-11-21

I walked an aisle when I was 5. My father was working as the nurse at a Christian camp and I had seen how excited and emotional people got when someone walked down the aisle during the invitation. I liked the idea of being fussed over!!! But nothing that I said or heard made complete sense to me. At the age of 12, I made a sincere commitment to a relationship with Jesus. I truly believe that the first time I "went forward" was simply a ploy for attention since I didn´t completely understand what I was saying. I´m not saying that children at the age of 5 aren´t capable of understanding. It just wasn´t something I grasped at that age.

benketteringoh writes on 2009-09-17

I didn´t have a doubt that I was saved. The amazing thing was 3 weeks after I was saved, there was an opening in a confirmation class at my church. It was a nice start to my Christen birth.

Don´t just give pat answers, find out why asking by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

I hope that this will be one of the greatest encouragements to you - you really don´t have to know it all - in fact, you´ll never on this Earth know it all.  I look back on when I was just getting going for God, I knew almost nothing but I just went out there (with great fear and trembling but compeled by love) and shared what I knew.  When I did not know what to say, God just popped it into my head at just the right time. The neat thing was that was enough for that time and people got saved or grew in their faith.   I still remember my first sermon (it is perhaps the best I´ve ever preached)   It was on the topic of living for God, I did not know much about how to live for God but I just prayed my guts out and stood up there and challenged everyone to do it.   I haven´t seen such a response since.  My point is, just go with what you´ve got and God will bless it.  By the way, your just a messenger anyway.  You don´t have to fancy it up or make people believe it or make it all make sense, all you have to do is deliver the message of God that He wants to save peopel and has done what it takes to do it. 

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-07-04



Knowledge is a funny thing, you can spend a lifetime filling your head with it and then in a crisis it evaporates and all we are really left with is instinct....for many years American police officers trained at standard firing ranges, the ones where you stand in front of a target and shoot at it....and for many years officers lost their lives because that form of training left them open and vulnerable because knowing that a criminal is returning fire does not stop the instinct to stand in front of the target and shoot! They were not prepared for the crisis of real life
and its ever changing situations. I can still remember the first time a young man approached me on the front lawn of our church and said, "I want to be saved".....well, i kinda remember it! All the knowledge I had stuffed into my brain (Master Life, Survival Kit, The Roman Road) disappeared in a flash and all I could do was just cry out to the Holy Spirit to help me. From then on I remember nothing except bowing our heads together to pray but, when I became aware of self again....I was crying, he was crying and the Holy Spirit was rejoicing with all of heaven. Funny but, I even remember the young man´s name, the crispness of the starry sky, the feel of the grass beneath our feet and that sweaty young man´s smell that all boys get from playing football on the church parking lot. Don´t get me wrong, I still seek knowledge....but, I will never depend on it.

tammyingham writes on 0000-00-00

At first I never got the fact that I don¥t have to drive the idea into people heads and make them accept God. Now all I do is let god handle it. I find its amazing to watch God work through people´s lives.

jive writes on 0000-00-00

This article says a whole lot. So often we think we are unable to witness to others because we don¥t know it all, or we¥ll mess up some how. The fact of the matter is that all that is expected of us is to give our testimony and point others toward Jesus. The rest is up to him. We are not called to save souls that is the job of Jesus Christ and the holy spirit. We are called to teach about what Jesus has done in past, present, and that HE IS COMING AGAIN. If we just make sure we point others to the word of God we can¥t go wrong. Isaiah 55:11 tells us "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shal not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." We need not worry about whether they will recieve the word, we¥re just told to put it out there. Once the seed is in the soil its all God from there on out.

hugapoohlouise writes on 0000-00-00

I agree. When I first started to share the gospel I put so much thought and preparation into it that I lost the true meaning of it. Now I just go with the basic¥s and I trust in God to provide me with the rest. And it works. I am involved in two nursing home ministries and there is a harvest field there just waiting for someone to come along. I love each and everyone of them like I love my own grandmother or grandfather. I think they see that and my lifestyle and my commitment to them.

Tiffany writes on 2002-07-01

I didnt always witness to people, but I noticed that work was a good place to do so, Im around people all day. Ive read the Gospels (Matt, Mark, Luke & John), more then once. But when I try to share the gospel with unbelievers I don´t always remember everything. So I just remember the important things to say to people to show them God¥s love & how to have eternal life. I´ve helped one person come to Christ, and many others better understand Christianity, and some have asked for more time to think about it. So yea, Just remember the "highlights" of the Gospel & your set, and don´t use "Christian Jargon" Speak simple english so they understand you to the fullest.

AngelzTearz4Eva writes on 2003-11-02

Our youth pastor is trying to teach us how to better witness and we even have disciplship groups.....

Susan writes on 2004-01-16

I agree. When I was first saved I was on fire to go out and share the Gospel with everyone. But the church that I attended frowned on that. You had to be a member/be saved for at least 1 year & go through a training course to do it. I didn´t have the confidence to go out & do it on my own. And - I kept being told that it was wrong for me to do that. As a new Christian from a non-Christian background I believed them.
Now I know different. I don´t attend any church now (haven´t found/been led to the right one)but I share my faith with anyone that I can.

alexrubio62 writes on 2004-01-21

I have experienced unsaltiness throughout my life. After accepting Christ as my personal Savior and Lord of my life at the age of 10, I was afraid to share the Good News of God´s Love for His children.
After recommitting my life back to Jesus, he has brought me out of the darkness and despair of leaning upon my own understanding. He has taught me the meaning of Faith and Trust In Him.
I am totally committed to Him. I have no life without the blood of Jesus.
Praise His Name On High!

teichmer@hotmail.com writes on 2004-06-08

A pastor, fresh out of school, charged up to the pulpit with great expectation of sharing all he had learned in college. Midway into his sermon he realized that the congregation was not very attentive to what he was saying and by the end of the sermon he had lost the attention of everybody. He walked down from the pulpit with his head hanging a bit when a elderly gentleman approached him and said, "If you had gone up there like you came down, you would have come down like you went up."
There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. To possess knowledge is to be learned or educated, to which we place a certain value upon. To have wisdom is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships (webster´s dictionary).
I find it ironic that to die (give up) to one´s knowledge we gain wisdom, to die to one´s self we gain the knowledge of Christ and of truth. Ephesians 3:16-19 says it best, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so tht Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know THIS LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
p.s As far as having to wait for a year Saul (Paul) did not wait. Acts 9:20 .

DGH writes on 2004-10-09

It´s a wonderful privilege being able to witness to others and tell them about our dear, blessed and wonderful Lord. I´m so glad and I´m so thankful that we dont have to worry the Lord will give to us what to say. In him we live and move and have our being praise his high and holy name.

Chelseamae1213 writes on 2005-08-13

Well my family is going through some tuff times right now... my grandfather has lung cancer and he has no idea who Jesus Christ is. That to me is the scarriest thing about this diasese. So i asked my father ( who is new in his faith and is a changed man because of it)to share with my grandparents about Jesus. At first he was totally against the idea and we had a few squabbles because of it and that hurt too. My grandfather has recently gotten worse and my mom and dad are down there right nw with him and dad has agreed to share his faith with his stepdad. He knows very little but I know that the little he knows will be wnough to make grandpa realize that there is something better and that there is no need to be scared or worried. So we are hoping for a little miracle that is already in place i think... Nothing is impossible with God!!

It is God who saves people by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

Take a look at this example of sharing the gospel. (http://www.nowtrygod.com/) Notice in particular on how they are trying to address the real questions people are asking and feeling. Notice how they do not use Christian jargon but try to keep it simple. I think it would be really good to print this off and preach it very similiar to how it is. It makes a great outline. In the discussion below share some of the key questions this presentation is touching that are relevant to non-believers. If you can, share examples of how those questions have been real in your own life.

DGH writes on 2004-10-09

That Now Try God is a wonderful approach and it has a wonderful message. I tell you the Lord is the only one who can truly satisfy we can draw water from the well of salvation and we will never thirst again praise his name.

OhioDisciple writes on 2004-10-31

I went to this website tonight, and it reminded me very much of issues I have had over a lifetime that led me to the Lord. I thought it was well done, and sent the link to just about everyone on my e mail list. I hope my friends and family that are not saved will give it a serious look.

JohnD writes on 2005-01-06

I think the best thing about it, which I´ve seen others miss in presenting the gospel, is that it focuses on Jesus. It guides the seeker toward meeting Him, not to religiosity and effort.

Elisa writes on 2005-01-20

When sharing the gospel with others, the Now try God link was very helpful because some people feel that they have to have it all together before giving their life to God or that they have to do good works to accomplish this. Jesus has already paid the price so that we can be reconciled to the Father.It is summed up in John 3:16 .

Vernon writes on 2005-02-03

My favorite part of this website is the honest and familiar responses to life´s problems like "just break up" or "get religion" or "take a vacation". This website does a wonderful job of hitting home to many who find themselves asking the same questions about life´s troubles. I think confronting the popular arguements against God like "organized religion" or "a crutch" strips the barriers away and lays bare the simple issue of "What about God?"

Fisher4God writes on 2007-04-04

My brother whom I love dearly is lost and is severely depressed and is a severe alcoholic and I have reached out time and time again and I have reached the point where I believe the only hope is prayer. PLEASE PRAY PRAY PRAY AND PRAY SOME MORE FOR HIM!!!!!!

Steps to Peace with God by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

This is a little booklet developed by Billy Graham to share the basics of the Christian faith. It uses an illustration of 2 cliffs where Jesus forms the bridge to cross the gap. † This is one of the two most popular gospel illustrations in the form of a tract (short handout describing how to be saved).† Notice what he believes to be the most important elements of how to be saved.†† To see a version of it in flash web animation go to http://www.a29.com/steps/

---

Colette writes on 2001-01-31



I carry this booklet with me and have memorized it. It is such a good way of sharing. It helps the ´nerves´ by having the words and scriptures in front of you. You can ask the person to read it...it means more to them if they read it for themselves. Thanks for mentioning this great booklet!

---

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-07-04



I have carried a worn and faded Roman Road with me for years....I like this particular tract because it shows people in God´s own words His plan of salvation. I also have the Roman Road marked in my bible so that all I have to do is turn to Romans and I have aready made path to follow...don´t get me wrong I love tracts and I use them faithfully....I love to leave them as tips for grocery boys, with the waitress´ money, etc., etc. I have my bible cover pockets full of them....well, not right at this minute....I gave them away and am down to only two! OOPS

Power to Change by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

A few years ago Power to Change worked together with the local churches. They aired long commericials on tv by famous people who shared their testimony and talked about how God gives the power to change. They had a number to dial and the people from church would come over and bring an information package and well-designed CD. They also have a web page. http://www.powertochange.com/

You can see their major emphasis is on sharing testimonies of others (which by the way, testimonies are one of the greatest way to share your faith) and answering the basic questions of life. Notice how they use the four spiritual laws instead of the cliff illustration in their gospel section (click here to go there).   This is the other most popular tract (short handout describing how to be saved) and has been used all around the world.    It is a helpful exercise to compare "Steps to Peace with God" with the "Four Spiritual Laws".  What does each one emphasize?  How do they present the same thing differently?

The other important part about this site is they provide follow-up (which is very important)

---

Colette writes on 2001-01-31



Thru the years I have used both booklets and have put to memory both methods. When I share I mix them and share what seems to meet the needs of the person. I like them both.

---

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-07-04



The founder of The Navigators, Dawson Trotman learned the importance of discipling and loves to tell this story...one day early in his ministry he saw a young man walking along the street on his way to caddy at the local golf course. Mr. trotman often picked up hitchhikers, for it gave him an opportunity to witness. The young man swore as he climbed in so Dawson reached inside his pocket, produced a gospel tract and gave it to him. The young man looked down at the tract, then looked up at Dawson and said, "haven´t I seen you before?" Dawson looked at the young man more closly and as it turned out, had picked him up on the same road a year before. Dawson had witnessed to him, led him to Christ, and had drove on his merry way...confident that another soul had entered the Kingdom. But, now a year later, there was no more evidence of the new birth in this young man than if he had never heard the gospel.

Motivated by this experience, Dawson began working on follow-up, on developing ways of mentoring those he was leading to Christ. Dawson later said, "You can lead a soul to Christ in anywhere from twenty minutes to a couple of hours. But it takes from twenty weeks to a couple of years to get him on the road to maturity."

---

Wirehead writes on 2003-03-28

This is how my wife and I were saved and shows that God can and will use anything to reach the lost. The internet is powerful (as I am sure all of you that are involved in this course can testify too), but it was of particular importance to me because I was addicted to pornography on the "net", so God used the PowertoChange website to touch my heart and here I am today, my life has not been the same since and I am thankful for their follow-up and dedication to this ministry. So I leave little "business cards" with nothing more on it but the website address, in restaurants, motels, payphones, bulletin boards on ferries and so on. Then I leave it to God to lead someone to pick up that card. It¥s that simple and I know that if they go to that site, they will be taken care of and fed the truth in a wonderful way.

The Key to Life by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

This is done in frames with a standard web format with some pictures and notes. I thought the presentation was unique from other ones and gives some helpful definitions

http://homepages.enterprise.net/bcfgoodnews/screenshow/index.htm

The writer also gives a full text explanation at the following address http://homepages.enterprise.net/bcfgoodnews/pages/saved.htm

Web animations (Gif and Flash) by Chris Priebe, 2000-08-12

One thing that people are doing is making little gif images to put on web pages. Take a look at the one(s) below.

Another format that is being used is called flash animation. This is a little program people can add to their computer that allows them to see high-quality animations for free (they make money by charging the artists to buy the programs to make them)

Here is an interesting one where they have taken the gospel message and combined it with animation of the cross. Also take a look at some of the other animations on that page. http://www.gieson.com/john316/index.html

---

sue p writes on 2005-11-21

Wow, powerful illistration. It brought tears to my eyes. This is a great way to reach our computer saavy teens. The site did not really let you know what was going to happen until the hammer came out. What a great way to hook someone to watch and understand all the way through.

Got Life? by Chris Priebe, 2000-10-07

This site uses excellent animation to bring the Gospel message home. Notice how it addresses key issues people ask and also shows some evidence of there being a God.

http://www.gotlife.org/intro.html

iTruth by Chris Priebe, 2000-12-09

Here is another approach
http://www.itruth.org/

I think this one is very interesting, notice how they use the graphics and interaction. Deliberately answer some of the questions wrong. How does that response make you feel? How do you respond when people don´t get it?

Probably the most helpful exercise with this presentation is to imagine being an unbeliever, how would you respond? What if you were from another country? how do you respond to the picture of hell? How should we approach the topic of hell? Is it too strong? If we don´t talk about hell are we really giving the message?

What is this presentation emphazing? What are they skipping over (for instance, 4 spiritual laws start off with "God loves you.." this starts off with "I am a sinner" and never mentions God´s love) What is the benefit or disadvantage of that?

What can you incorporate into your own Gospel presentation after seeing this? What will you try to avoid.

PS. Be careful not to say it is all good or all bad, it is simply one way and like all ways it will reach some and not others.

---

sue p writes on 2005-11-21

I looked at their website. It is OK. I wasn´t sure why the Buddha was the first thing I saw as I opened the page. I also took some of the quizes and answer some questions wrong. It only told me to try again but didn´t explain why it was wrong. So really not a real learning tool as to why believe on way was wrong vs the other. I think the concept is good, but they missed the boat when they didn´t use the opportunity to give explainations with the answers.

Step Up to Life by Chris Priebe, 2001-01-23

I really like this presentation and am thinking of getting the transperencies for some of the seminars. It goes through the steps people go through before becoming a Christian and helps people along through them. A very different and fresh approach. What do you suppose are some of the most emphasied points in this presentation

http://www.stepuptolife.com/index.htm

---

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-07-03



I too liked the "step up to life" tract, I especially liked the staircase and I believe that SIN was a major point and that in order to truly understand the gift of God, you must repent. I believe that repent was explained very clearly. I also liked the part during accepting when he explained that some people act with great emotion at this time while others do not. Thanks for showing it to us!

Reaching the Lost Sheep. by Mspastwife, 2001-02-17

I have recently found out how the gospel is being spread thru the computer, and I am amazed at how touching those things are; [especially the digitrac´s]even as an older christian . I think the main thing is just getting out there, and being yourself with God´s guidance. That´s the best way to share the Gospel.And I find that even most of the lost know John 3:16 , and understand it. I also like John10:9,but Romans10:9 is my favorite. It explains how to be saved,and gives an assurance of salvation. The key is just to reach out!

---

lenblaides writes on 2001-05-12



I like your response; you can also add Acts 16:31 to your list even Acts 2:38 .

In Love
Anthony

---

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-07-03



I too, am amazed at the potential for sharing the Gospel that the internet possesses. Yet, I am also still one of theose people that really believe that there is nothing man-made that God cannot use to His good. I well remember people being concerned over those "new" and possibly "evil" Christian singers and that wierd contempory stuff. I remember stories from Billy Graham about how he was condemned at the beginning of his crusades for using music before the sermons and during the alter calls. I remember when T.V. shows such as Gospel Bill were condemned. I even recall hearing that since churches do not know where the currency they are donated comes from maybe they should not use it...it might have once belonged to a sinner!!! God uses man and man-made devices daily and I praise Him for that.

John 3:16; - Reaching the Lost Sheep.

Example! by AngelGirl062487, 2001-05-17

Sit with a lost person and comort them while you tell them of Jesus.

- AngelGirl062487

------------
This looks like a good place we can open a discussion on some examples of ways we can share the Gospel, any other ideas?

Pastor Chris

---

deecee4jaycee writes on 2001-07-03



There are infinite ways to share the Gospel....through kindness, through love, through praying for a lost person for years, by sitting in a hospital room with a hurt and hateful person and just not saying anything...just letting them know you are available, through letters, tracts, cards, through charity work, through visitation, by computer, through T.V., by personal phone calls, through friendship, hosting bible studies, having back-yard bible groups, at church, Sunday school and Wed. nights, drama, G.A.´s, R.A.´s, over the fence to your neighbor, with your life, with your donations, .....whew! My fingers are tired, and the tip of the iceburg has not even been scratched!

---

Miles Tucker writes on 2003-11-09

There are too many examples to mention! The new testiment is full off perfect examples about sharing the good news. My favorite is through random acts of kindness, offer to watch someones kids, or take someone out to lunch, a ball game, or to a park. Those are the best times for me to talk about God´s Love.

---

sue p writes on 2005-11-21

Whenever I am at the health club I take a book related to religion with me to read while I work out. I make sure the title is seen by anyone who cares to look. Only once or twice has anyone asked me about the book and opened the door for conversation. But who knows.
I also shamelessly listen to conversations and if possible include myself and try to get the conversation turned to God. I´ve witness several times this way.

Fathers Love Letter by Chris Priebe, 2001-08-16

Here is a beautiful example of sharing the Gospel. I like how they just use paraphrased Scripture and images of God´s creation.

(http://www.fathersloveletter.com)